WWE SummerSlam: Power Ranking Every Show

2004

A very good event overall, 2004 promoted the future in its main event. Toronto is well-known for being a crowd that acts however it chooses, no matter the storylines or the status of any superstar leading into the show, and this was evidently no exception. Randy Orton challenged World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit after being victorious in a battle royal, and the Evolution member stunned everyone by winning his first world title in a fantastic changing of the guard moment. The match leading to that moment was also very successful, as Orton was able to keep up with his experienced counterpart.

Other championship matches also produced solid action, if nothing particularly exceptional. JBL and the Undertaker was a physical battle, but sullied by the typical Layfield disqualification finish. John Cena and Booker T produced a good skirmish, and the Intercontinental title triple threat was also solid, in spite of the crowd booing supposed face and Toronto native Edge out of the building. But, the Kurt Angle/Eddie Guerrero bout was probably expected to deliver a lot more than it did, and no matter how hard WWE attempted to push him, nobody was really going to buy into Eugene during his fight with Triple H. And of course, the Divas were too busy playing dodgeball to find their way onto the actual card.